What is this inspection all about?
If you feel a buzz, shake or hum through your seat while driving, something in the car is vibrating and passing it to you. The seat is where most people notice it first. The cause may be small and cheap, or it may be a part that is wearing out. The sooner it is found, the less damage it does.
Common reasons for this to happen:
- Wheels or tyres that are out of balance, or a bent rim from a pothole.
- Worn engine or gearbox mounts that let engine vibration reach the body. Worn driveshaft, U-joints or CV joints, which often shake more as speed goes up.
- Worn suspension parts such as wheel bearings, ball joints or bushes.
- A misfiring engine or a dirty fuel system, which makes the engine run roughly.
- Loose seat bolts or worn seat rails, or an exhaust pipe that has come loose from its hanger.
- Uneven brake discs, which shake the car when braking.
What to expect:
An Ask AutoParts certified mechanic will come to you or you can bring the car to a partner garage. They will road test the car to find out at what speed and in which conditions the shaking happens, then check the wheels, tyres, mounts, driveline, suspension and seat mountings. You receive a written inspection report that names the cause, what to repair and a quote.
How important is this service?
Moderately important. A light vibration can wait a few days, but if it is getting worse, happens when braking, or comes with noise, have the car checked straight away. Shaking that grows with speed can mean a worn part that could fail.
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